Writings and Speeches of Eugene V. Debs

or treated with greater courtesy than was I by the prison population
and all others with whom I incidentally came into contact.

Election night is vividly recalled as a pleasant and interesting
special occasion. Soon after the supper hour I was sent for and received by the deputy warden who conducted me to the warden's
office to hear the returns that were being received by telephone and
in the form of special messages. The warden and his wife were present
as were representatives of the press. The bulletins came in rapidly
and the table was soon covered with these returns.

Early in the evening I conceded the election of Warren G.
Harding and my own defeat, which apparently excited no surprise
among those in the office and beyond the walls; the only surprise,
if not chagrin, that was felt came from the prison cells. An interesting
question arose while we sat there in the warden's office as to a pardon
to myself in the event of my election, and we all found some mirth
in debating it. I am sure the question did not disturb my slumber
in the nights preceding this particular one.

We remained in the office of the warden until the election of
Harding was assured, when I once more breathed a sigh of relief as
a defeated presidential candidate. I was not in the least downcast
that I had not been elected President of the United States. In the
next hour I was in dreamland sailing the seven seas in quest of new
worlds to conquer.

The sincere regret expressed the following day by my prison
mates that I had not been transferred from Atlanta to Washington
by the American people would have compensated me for any disappointment I might have felt over the conduct of the campaign and
its final results.

The spontaneous and sensational demonstration that occurred
upon my leaving the prison at Atlanta will abide with me vividly
to the last hour of my life. The startling, thrilling, dramatic and
deeply touching scene of that strange leavetaking is etched into my
very soul. It was Christmas day. The definite order for my release
had come at last after weeks and months of baseless rumors. The
prison was tense with excitement. In cells and corridors, in the duck

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